U.S. patent application number 16/766376 was filed with the patent office on 2020-12-03 for closure cap for a container.
The applicant listed for this patent is HUSKY INJECTION MOLDING SYSTEMS LTD.. Invention is credited to Jean-Michel CUNCHE, Jaroslav HABICH, Tobias NAUMANN.
Application Number | 20200377268 16/766376 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005063955 |
Filed Date | 2020-12-03 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200377268 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
NAUMANN; Tobias ; et
al. |
December 3, 2020 |
CLOSURE CAP FOR A CONTAINER
Abstract
The present invention provides a closure cap for a container
comprising a lid and a shell, and a hinge region for pivotally
connecting the lid to the shell and for locking the lid in an open
position thereof. The lid comprises a top panel having a tongue
adjacent the hinge region and a cylindrical wall suspended from a
bottom face of the top panel and connected to the shell via a
plurality of bridges which break upon a first opening of the lid.
The hinge region comprises a pair of elongate hinge elements spaced
apart from each other, and a ratchet-like member disposed
therebetween.
Inventors: |
NAUMANN; Tobias; (Merzig,
DE) ; CUNCHE; Jean-Michel; (Amneville, FR) ;
HABICH; Jaroslav; (Jindrichuv Hradec, CZ) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
HUSKY INJECTION MOLDING SYSTEMS LTD. |
BOLTON |
|
CA |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000005063955 |
Appl. No.: |
16/766376 |
Filed: |
November 19, 2018 |
PCT Filed: |
November 19, 2018 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/CA2018/051468 |
371 Date: |
May 22, 2020 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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62599140 |
Dec 15, 2017 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 50/00 20130101;
B65D 47/0819 20130101; B65D 41/02 20130101; B65D 2543/00092
20130101; B65D 43/0235 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 47/08 20060101
B65D047/08; B65D 41/02 20060101 B65D041/02; B65D 50/00 20060101
B65D050/00; B65D 43/02 20060101 B65D043/02 |
Claims
1. A closure cap for a container comprising: a lid and a shell, and
a hinge region for pivotally connecting the lid to the shell and
for locking the lid in an open position thereof; the lid comprising
a top panel having a tongue adjacent the hinge region and a wall
suspended from a bottom face of the top panel and connected to the
shell via a plurality of bridges configured to break upon a first
opening of the lid, the hinge region comprising a pair of elongate
hinge elements spaced apart from each other, and a ratchet-like
member disposed therebetween, the hinge elements being integrally
formed with the shell and the top panel, and each having a lower
portion and an intermediate portion having an inwardly sloping
outer face, thereby providing an upper portion having, relative to
a wall thickness of the lower portion, a wall of reduced thickness;
the ratchet-like member being integrally formed with the shell and
having a body with an outer contour comprising a lower, an
intermediate and an upper portion, and an inner contour comprising
a lower, an intermediate and an upper portion, wherein the
intermediate portion of the outer contour comprises at least one
inward curvature for guiding an end portion of the tongue during
opening of the lid, and the upper portion of the outer contour
comprises an outward curvature for providing an abutment for the
end portion of the tongue in a final open position of the lid.
2. The closure cap according to claim 1, wherein the wall thickness
of the lower portions of the hinge elements corresponds to a wall
thickness of the shell.
3. The closure cap according to claim 1, wherein the upper portions
of the hinge elements each provide a recess in the top panel of the
lid, which recesses in concert form the tongue of the top
panel.
4. The closure cap according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate
portion of the inner contour of the body comprises a profile
configured to provide, at least in part, an abutment with respect
to a pilfer proof of a container neck in the final open position of
the lid.
5. The closure cap according to claim 1, wherein part of the upper
portion of the inner contour of the body comprises a profile
configured to abut, at least in part, against a portion of a
container neck finish in the final open position of the lid.
6. The closure cap according to claim 1, wherein the lower portion
of the outer contour of the body has a flat profile sloping
outwardly at an upper end section thereof, the inward curvature of
the intermediate portion of the outer contour, of the body either
has a substantially semi-circular profile or has a concave profile,
and the outward curvature of the upper portion of the outer contour
of the body has a substantially semi-circular profile with an end
section having a nose-like profile.
7. The closure cap according to claim 1, wherein the lower portion
of the outer contour of the body has a flat profile sloping
outwardly at an upper end section; thereof, the intermediate
portion of the outer contour of the body comprises a first inward
curvature, a second inward curvature and an outward curvature
disposed therebetween, and the outward curvature of the upper
portion of the outer contour of the body has an end section having
a nose-like profile.
8. The closure cap according to claim 7, wherein the second inward
curvature of the intermediate portion of the outer contour is
configured to hold, in concert with part of the outward curvature
of the upper portion of the outer contour, an end portion of the
tongue in an intermediate open position of the lid.
9. The closure cap according to claim 7, wherein the first inward
curvature of the intermediate portion of the outer contour has a
substantially semi-circular profile, the second inward curvature
thereof has a substantially semi-circular profile, and the outward
curvature disposed between said first and second inward curvatures
has a substantially semi-circular profile, wherein a width of the
second inward curvature is less than a width of the first inward
curvature, and wherein the outward curvature of the upper portion
of the outer contour has a substantially semi-circular profile
having a width greater than a width of the outward curvature of the
intermediate portion of the outer contour.
10. The closure cap according to claim 6, wherein the lower portion
of the inner contour of the body has a flat profile, the
intermediate portion of the inner contour of the body has an inward
curvature configured to abut, at least in part, against a pilfer
proof of a container neck in the final open position of the lid,
and the upper portion of the inner contour of the body has a flat
profile.
11. The closure cap of claim 7, wherein the inward curvature of the
intermediate portion of the inner contour has a concave
profile.
12. The closure cap according to claim 6, wherein the lower portion
of the inner contour of the body has a flat profile, the
intermediate portion of the inner contour of the body has an
outward curvature and an end section with a substantially flat
profile, the outward curvature being such positioned that it, at
least in part, abuts against a pilfer proof of a container neck in
the final open position of the lid, and the upper portion of the
inner contour of the body has an outward curvature.
13. The closure cap according to claim 12, wherein the outward
curvature of the intermediate portion of the inner contour has a
convex profile forming an apex, and wherein the outward curvature
of the upper portion of the inner contour has a convex profile
forming an apex.
14. The closure cap of claim 1, wherein on a side of the closure
cap opposite to the hinge region, the shell has a wall section of
reduced height provided by an inverted trapezoid cut-out having
identically inclined cut lines, and wherein in a closed position of
the lid, the wall section accommodates a complementarily shaped
wall section of the wall of the top panel of the lid.
15. The closure cap according to claim 14, wherein the shell, along
an inner circumference thereof, comprises a plurality of cam-like
stopper components spaced apart from each other and configured to
slide over a pilfer proof of a container neck during capping of the
closure cap, and wherein in a region of the shell adjacent to each
of the inclined cut lines of the trapezoid cut-out, a cam-like
stopper component is provided having a body portion with an
inclination similar to that of the cut lines.
16. The closure cap according to claim 15, wherein the closure cap
in a closed position of the lid defines a back half which includes
the hinge region and a front half which comprises the plurality of
bridges, wherein the bridges each are positioned above a space
defined by two adjacent cam-like stopper components.
17. The closure cap according to claim 15, wherein the
complementarily shaped wall section of the wall of the top panel of
the lid carries a tongue-like projection configured to be gripped
by a user for opening the lid.
18. The closure cap according to claim 17, wherein the tongue-like
projection is integrally formed with the wall section of reduced
height of the wall of the top panel and has an arc-shaped support
structure.
19. The closure cap according to claim 1, wherein the bottom face
of the top panel comprises a plug seal configured to sealingly fit
into a neck finish of a container neck.
20. (canceled)
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a closure cap for a liquid
container, and more particularly to a closure cap having a lid and
a shell, and a hinge region for pivotally connecting the lid to the
shell and for locking the lid in an open position thereof.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Particularly in the beverage and food industry, there is a
demand for closure caps which can be sealingly fitted onto the neck
of a container with liquid contents and have a pivotable lid that
can be held in an open position.
[0003] In general, such closure caps are injection molded articles.
In essence they consist of a lid, a cylindrical body for sealingly
fitted onto a container neck, a hinge for pivotally connecting the
lid to the cylindrical body and means for locking the lid in an
open position thereof. For protecting the lid from unauthorized
opening or inappropriate manipulation, the lid usually is connected
to the cylindrical body via frangible bridges which break upon a
first opening of the lid.
[0004] European Patent Application No. 0 908 349 A1 (KLOPFER;
PUBLISHED: 14 Apr. 1999) discloses a closure cap for a container
having a lid pivotally connected to a fastening ring of the closure
cap and means for locking the lid in an open position at an angle
of about 90.degree.. The joint is provided by a thin film formed in
an upper wall portion of the fastening ring. The locking means
consist of a T-shaped stub projecting from a rim of the lid, and a
pair of profiled sprung jaws extending from a lower wall portion of
the fastening ring. For locking the lid in its open position, the
T-shaped stub is pressed between the profiled jaws which grip the
same with a ratchet grip.
[0005] Applied to a beverage container, the opening angle of the
lid of about 90.degree. is unsatisfactory as a lid in such a
position renders drinking from the container neck inconvenient.
Further, reclosing the lid is cumbersome as in a first place the
stub must be disengaged from the sprung jaws.
[0006] US Patent Application No. 2004/0178166 A1 (ANTIER et al.;
PUBLISHED 16 Sep. 2004) discloses a closure cap having a lid
pivotally connected to a skirt of the closure cap and means for
locking the lid in an open position at an angle of about
180.degree.. The joint is provided by a pair of elastic lamellae
spaced apart from each other and formed in upper wall portions of
the skirt and lower wall portions of a rim of the lid. The locking
means consist of a tongue-shaped projection integrally formed with
the lid and extending beyond the rim, and a wall section of the
skirt defined by the spacing between the lamellae. The wall section
serves to provide an abutment against which the tongue-shaped
projection rests in the open position of the lid.
[0007] Whether or not the lid can be held in a position with an
opening angle of 180.degree. fully depends on the compliance with
given dimensions of the tongue-shaped extension. Thus, any
deviations from such given dimensions, likely to occur during the
production of the closure cap, inevitably render the locking
mechanism to fail.
SUMMARY
[0008] The object underlying the present invention is to provide a
closure cap for a container having a pivotable lid which, at a wide
opening angle thereof, can be reliably locked and which also can be
readily reclosed.
[0009] This object is solved by a closure cap having the features
defined by claim 1.
[0010] According to the present invention, the hinge region for
pivotally connecting the lid to the shell of the closure cap and
for locking the lid in a final open position comprises a pair of
elongate hinge elements spaced apart from each other, and a
ratchet-like member disposed therebetween. The hinge elements are
integrally formed with the shell and the top panel of the lid. Each
hinge element has a lower portion having a wall thickness and an
intermediate portion with an inwardly sloping outer face, thereby
providing a wall thickness of an upper portion of the hinge element
which, relative to the lower portion of the hinge element, is of a
reduced thickness. The ratchet-like member is integrally formed
with the shell and has a body with outer and inner contours, each
thereof having a lower portion, an intermediate portion and an
upper portion. The intermediate portion of the outer contour has at
least one inward curvature configured for guiding an end portion of
the tongue towards the upper portion of the outer contour during
opening of the lid. The upper portion has an outward curvature
which provides an abutment for the end portion of the tongue in the
final open position of the lid. It is worth noting that in its
final open position, the lid can reliably be locked at a wide
opening angle, so that the closure cap, if applied to a beverage
container, allows for conveniently drinking from the container
neck. Further, it is worth noting that the lid, from its final open
position, can conveniently be reclosed.
[0011] Preferably, the lower portion of the hinge elements has a
wall thickness that corresponds to a wall thickness of the
shell.
[0012] Preferably, the upper portions of the hinge elements each
form a recess in the top panel of the lid, so that the recesses in
concert form a tongue in the top panel of the lid.
[0013] In order to advantageously support the body of the
ratchet-like member in the final open position of the lid, the
intermediate portion of its inner contour preferably comprises a
profile configured to abut, at least in part, against a pilfer
proof of a container neck.
[0014] Preferably, part of the upper portion of the inner contour
of the body comprises a profile that is configured to abut, at
least in part, against a portion of a container neck in the final
open position of the lid.
[0015] According to a first embodiment of the outer contour of the
body of the ratchet-like member, the lower portion of the outer
contour has a flat face sloping outwardly at an upper section
thereof. In this way, it is advantageously ensured that the end
portion of the tongue during opening of the lid is properly guided
into the inward curvature of the intermediate portion of the outer
contour, which inward curvature, in terms of a first variant of
this first embodiment, has a substantially semi-circular profile
and, in terms of a second variant of this first embodiment, the
intermediate portion has a concave profile. An inward curvature
having a substantially semi-circular profile has the advantage that
it is associated with material savings. The outward curvature of
the upper portion of the outer contour has a substantially
semi-circular profile which profile thus advantageously supports
the sliding of the end portion of the tongue towards an abutment of
the outward curvature against which the end portion of the tongue
is firmly held in the final open position of the lid. The
substantially semi-circular profile of the upper portion of the
outer contour preferably has an end section with a nose-like
profile such that in the final open position of the lid, the end
section either as such can abut against a neck finish of a
container or allows an end section of the upper portion of the
inner contour to be brought into such an abutment.
[0016] According to a second embodiment of the outer contour of the
body of the ratchet-like member, the lower portion of the outer
contour has a flat profile sloping outwardly, the intermediate
portion of the outer contour has first and second inward curvatures
with an outward curvature disposed therebetween, and the upper
portion of the outer contour has an outward curvature having an end
section with a nose-like profile.
[0017] Providing a profile of the intermediate and upper portions
of the outer contour of the body in terms of the above second
embodiment of an outer contour has the advantage that the end
portion of the tongue, during opening of the lid, undergoes a
stepwise guidance, wherein, in interaction with the second inward
curvature of the intermediate portion and part of the outward
curvature of the upper portion, the tongue, by virtue of the hinge
elements, can be retained in a position at which the lid is in an
intermediate open position with an opening angle that is wider than
that the lid has in its final open position where the intermediate
portion of the inner contour of the body is, at least in part, in
abutment with a pilfer proof of a container neck.
[0018] According to the aforesaid second embodiment of the outer
contour of the body, the profile of the intermediate portion of the
outer contour preferably is such that the first inward curvature
has a substantially semi-circular profile, the second inward
curvature has a substantially semi-circular profile, and the
outward curvature disposed therebetween has a substantially
semi-circular profile. Preferably, a width of the second
semi-circularly profiled inward curvature of the intermediate
portion of the outer contour is less than a width of the second
semi-circularly profiled inward curvature of said intermediate
portion. The outward curvature of the upper portion of the outer
contour preferably has a substantially semi-circular profile, and
preferably a width thereof is greater than a width of the
semi-circularly profiled outward curvature of the intermediate
portion of the outer contour. The intermediate and upper portions
of the outer contour profiled in such a manner provide for a smooth
stepwise guidance of the tongue towards an abutment with the upper
portion, while the substantially semi-circular profile of the
second inward curvature of the intermediate portion conveniently
allows the tongue to be held in an abutment with part of the
outward curvature of the upper portion in an intermediate open
position of the lid.
[0019] According to a first embodiment of the inner contour of the
body of the ratchet-like member, the lower portion of the inner
contour has a flat profile and the upper portion of the inner
contour of the body has a flat profile. The intermediate portion
has an inward curvature configured to abut, at least in part,
against a pilfer proof of a container neck in the final open
position of the lid. Providing such an abutment advantageously
supports the body in the final open position of the lid.
[0020] According to a second embodiment of the inner contour of the
body of the ratchet-like member, the lower portion of the inner
contour has a flat profile. The intermediate portion of the inner
contour has an outward curvature and an end section having a
substantially flat profile. The outward curvature is such
positioned that it, at least in part, abuts against a pilfer proof
of a container neck in the final open position of the lid, thereby
advantageously supporting the body in the final open position of
the lid. The upper portion of the inner contour has an outward
curvature.
[0021] Preferably, the outward curvature of the intermediate
portion of the inner contour and the outward curvature of the upper
portion of the inner contour each have a convex profile having an
apex. Advantageously, the convex profile of the intermediate
portion is such positioned that a lower portion thereof abuts
against a pilfer proof of a container neck in the final open
position of the lid.
[0022] According to an embodiment of the closure cap of the present
invention, the shell, on a side opposite to the side of the hinge
region, has a wall section of reduced height which is provided by
way of an inverted trapezoid cut-out having identically inclined
cut lines. The wall suspended from the top panel of the lid has a
complementarily shaped wall section which is received in the
aforesaid wall section of the shell in a closed position of the
lid. For opening the closure cap conveniently, the complementarily
shaped wall section of the wall suspended from the top panel
preferably carries a tongue-like projection integrally formed
therewith and having an arced-shaped support structure.
[0023] In order to provide that the closure cap can be snugly
fitted onto a container neck, the shell, along an inner
circumference thereof, comprises a plurality of cam-like stopper
components spaced apart from each other and configured to slide
over a pilfer proof of a container neck during capping of the
closure cap. During capping a lower surface of the cam-like stopper
components helps to radially stretch the shell of the closure cap,
while during opening of the lid an upper surface of the cam-like
stopper components cooperates with a lower surface of the pilfer
proof of the container neck to retain the shell on the container
neck. In order to stiffen the wall section of the shell of reduced
height, adjacent to each of the inclined cut lines of the inverted
trapezoid cut-out providing that wall section, the respective
cam-like stopper component preferably has a body portion having an
inclination similar to that of the inclined cut-lines.
[0024] For protecting the closure cap from unauthorized opening or
inappropriate manipulation, the lid is connected to the shell via a
plurality of frangible bridges which break upon a first opening of
the lid. The bridges are each positioned above a space defined by
two adjacent cam-like stopper components. In order to allow a user
a more precise and convenient opening of the lid, the plurality of
bridges preferably is provided only in the front half of the
closure cap.
[0025] In order to provide a proper seal for the liquid content of
a container capped with a closure cap of the present invention, the
bottom face of the top panel of the lid comprises a plug seal
shaped to sealingly fit into a neck finish of a container neck.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0026] The non-limiting embodiments of the present invention will
be more fully appreciated by reference to the accompanying
drawings, in which:
[0027] FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view from the above, oriented
towards the front half of a closure cap provided according to
embodiments of a closure cap of the present invention;
[0028] FIG. 2 depicts an elevation view of the front half of the
closure cap of FIG. 1;
[0029] FIG. 3 depicts a perspective view from the above, oriented
towards the back half of the closure cap shown in FIG. 1, which
closure cap has a ratchet-like member with a body having an outer
contour according to a first variant of a first embodiment of the
outer contour;
[0030] FIG. 4 depicts a perspective view from the above, oriented
towards the back half of the closure cap shown in FIG. 1, which
closure cap has a ratchet-like member with a body having an outer
contour according to a second variant of the first embodiment of
the outer contour;
[0031] FIG. 5 depicts a perspective view from the above, oriented
towards the back half of the closure cap shown in FIG. 1, which
closure cap has a ratchet-like member with a body having an outer
contour according to a second embodiment of the outer contour;
[0032] FIG. 6 depicts a sectional view of the closure cap shown in
FIG. 3, which closure cap has a ratchet-like member with a body
having an outer contour according to the first variant of the first
embodiment of the outer contour and an inner contour according to a
first embodiment of the inner contour;
[0033] FIG. 7 depicts a sectional view of the closure cap shown in
FIG. 4, which closure cap has a ratchet-like member having a body
with an outer contour according to the second variant of the first
embodiment of the outer contour, and an inner contour according to
a second embodiment of the inner contour;
[0034] FIG. 8 depicts a sectional view of the closure cap shown in
FIG. 5, which closure cap has a ratchet-like member having a body
with an outer contour according to the second embodiment of the
outer contour, and an inner contour according to the second
embodiment of the inner contour;
[0035] FIG. 9A depicts a perspective view of the closure cap shown
in FIGS. 3 and 6 in its final open position, which closure cap has
a ratchet-like member having a body with an outer contour according
to the first variant of the first embodiment of the outer contour,
and an inner contour according to the first embodiment of the inner
contour;
[0036] FIGS. 9B to 9D depict sectional views of the closure cap of
FIG. 9A and show the lid in interaction with the hinge elements and
the body of the ratchet-like member during opening of the lid and
in its final open position;
[0037] FIG. 10A depicts a perspective view of the closure cap shown
in FIGS. 4 and 7 in its final open position, which closure cap has
a ratchet-like member having a body with an outer contour according
to the second variant of the first embodiment of the outer contour,
and an inner contour according to the second embodiment of the
inner contour;
[0038] FIGS. 10B to 10D depict sectional views of the closure cap
of FIG. 10A and show the lid in interaction with the hinge elements
and the body of the ratchet-like member during opening of the lid
and in its final open position.
[0039] FIG. 11A depicts a perspective view of the closure cap shown
in FIGS. 5 and 8 in its final open position, which closure cap has
a ratchet-like member having a body with an outer contour according
to the second embodiment of an outer contour, and an inner contour
according to the second embodiment of an inner contour;
[0040] FIGS. 11B to 11D depict sectional views of the closure cap
of FIG. 11A and show the lid in interaction with the hinge elements
and the body of the ratchet-like member during opening of the lid
and in its final open position.
[0041] The drawings serve the purpose of illustration and are not
to scale.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE NON-LIMITING EMBODIMENTS
[0042] Reference will now be made to non-limiting embodiments of a
closure cap according to the present invention. It should be
understood that other modifications and equivalents will be evident
to those skilled in the art in view of the non-limiting embodiments
disclosed herein and that those variants should be considered to be
within the scope of the present invention.
[0043] Furthermore, it will be recognized by those skilled in the
art that certain structural and/or operational details of the
non-limiting embodiments discussed hereinafter may be modified or
amended.
[0044] As illustrated in FIG. 1, closure cap 100, 200 and 300,
respectively, comprises a lid 102, a shell 104 and a hinge region
106 which is configured for pivotally connecting the lid 102 to the
shell 104 and for locking the lid 102 in an open position thereof.
The lid 102 comprises a substantially circular top panel 108 having
a tongue 138 adjacent the hinge region 106, and a wall 110
suspended from a bottom face 112 (shown in FIG. 2) of the top panel
108. Wall 110 is connected to the shell 104 via a plurality of
bridges 114 which break upon a first opening of the lid 102. For
allowing a more precise and convenient opening of the lid 102, the
bridges 114 are only provided in the front half of the closure cap.
Opposite to the hinge region 106, the wall 110 carries a
tongue-like projection 178 to be gripped by a user for opening the
lid 102. The tongue-like projection 178 is integrally formed with
the wall 100 and has an arc-shaped support structure 182.
[0045] As it becomes more apparent from FIG. 2, the shell 104 has a
wall section 170 of reduced height provided by way of an inverted
trapezoid cut-out 172 having identically inclined cut lines. In the
closed position of the lid, wall section 170 accommodates a
complementarily shaped wall section 174 of the wall 110, which wall
section 174 carries the aforesaid tongue-like projection 178.
[0046] FIG. 3 depicts the closure cap shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 with
particular emphasis on the hinge region 106 which comprises a pair
of elongate hinge elements 116, 118 spaced apart from each other
and a ratchet-like member 120 disposed therebetween. The hinge
elements 116, 118 are integrally formed with the shell 104 and the
lid 102. Each hinge element 116, 118 has a lower portion 130, 132
having a wall thickness of the shell 104, and an intermediate
portion 126, 128 having an outer face which, relative to the lower
portion, slopes inwardly and thereby provides an upper portion 122
and 124, respectively, having a wall of reduced thickness. In this
way, the upper portions 122, 124 of the hinge elements 116, 118
each form a recess 134, 136 in the top panel 108 which recesses
134, 136 in turn form the aforesaid tongue 138 in the top panel 108
of the lid.
[0047] As set out above, the ratchet-like member 120 has a body
with outer and inner contours each having a lower portion, an
intermediate portion and an upper portion.
[0048] The ratchet-like member 120 employed in the closure cap 100
of FIG. 3, has a body 140 with an outer contour 142 profiled in
accordance with a first variant of a first embodiment of an outer
contour, and an inner contour 150 profiled in accordance with a
first embodiment of an inner contour. The inner 150 and outer
contours 142 of body 140 in more detail are depicted in FIG. 6.
Accordingly, one will appreciate the following. The lower portion
144 of the outer contour 142 of body 140 has a flat profile with an
end section 166 sloping outwardly. The intermediate portion 146 of
the outer contour 142 of body 140 has an inward curvature 158 with
a substantially semi-circular profile, and the upper portion 148 of
the outer contour 142 has an outward curvature 160 which has a
substantially semi-circular profile and an end section 168 (more
clearly shown in FIGS. 9B to 9D) having a nose-like profile. The
lower portion 152 of the inner contour 150 of body 140 has a flat
profile, and the intermediate portion 154 of the inner contour 150
of body 140 has an inward curvature 164 having a concave profile.
The upper portion 156 of the inner contour 150 of body 140 has a
flat profile 162.
[0049] FIGS. 9A to 9D supplement FIGS. 3 and 6 in that as they
illustrate on how lid 102 of closure cap 100, via hinge region 106
employing a ratchet-like member 120 having body 140 with the
aforesaid outer 142 and inner 150 contours, is brought into and
locked in its final open position. In the depicted embodiment, the
opening angle of the lid 102 is about 210.degree. (shown in FIGS.
9A and 9D). In order to also illustrate on how the intermediate
portion 154 of the inner contour 150 of body 140 supports body 140
in the final open position of the lid 102, the cross-sectional
views of FIGS. 9B to 9D also depict part of a container neck.
[0050] Under continued reference to FIG. 6, one will appreciate
from FIGS. 9B to 9D the following.
[0051] From FIG. 9B one will appreciate that the outwardly sloping
end section 166 of the lower portion 144 of the outer contour 142
of body 140 ensures that during opening of lid 102, an end portion
of tongue 138 formed in the top panel 108 of lid 102, is properly
received by the substantially semi-circularly profiled inward
curvature 158 of the intermediate portion 146 of outer contour 142.
From FIGS. 9C and 9D one will appreciate that by way of said
substantially semi-circular profile of the inward curvature 158 of
the intermediate portion 146 and the substantially semi-circular
profile of the outward curvature 160 of the upper portion 148 of
the outer contour 142, an end portion of tongue 138 is guided
towards an abutment of the outward curvature 160 of said upper
portion 148, against which abutment the tongue 138 is firmly held
in the final open position of lid 102 by virtue of the hinge
elements 116 and 118. From FIG. 9D, showing the lid 102 in its
final open position, one will appreciate that body 140 at this
position of lid 102 is advantageously supported by the intermediate
portion 154 of its inner contour 150, namely in that the concavely
profiled inward curvature 164 of the intermediate portion 154
abuts, in part, against a pilfer proof of a container neck. FIG. 9D
further shows that an end section of the flat profile 162 of upper
portion 156 of the inner profile 150 of body 140 is in abutment
with an uppermost portion of a container neck finish. Although such
an abutment provides further support for body 140, it is not
necessarily required for holding the lid 102 via tongue 138 in its
final open position. Whether or not such an abutment occurs, rather
depends on the design of the outer contour of the uppermost portion
of a container neck finish and/or on the plastic material used in
the injection molding of the closure cap of the present
invention.
[0052] FIG. 4 depicts the closure cap of FIGS. 1 and 2, while
putting particular emphasis on the hinge region 106. The hinge
elements 116, 118 depicted accordingly are identical to those
depicted in FIG. 3 and discussed above under reference to that
Figure.
[0053] The ratchet-like member 120 employed in the closure cap 200
of FIG. 4, has a body 240 with an outer contour 242 profiled in
accordance with a second variant of the first embodiment of the
outer contour, and an inner counter 250 profiled in accordance with
a second embodiment of the inner contour. The inner 250 and outer
242 contours of body 240 are depicted in FIG. 7 in more detail.
Accordingly, one will appreciate the following. The lower portion
244 of the outer contour 242 of body 240 has a flat profile with an
end section 266 sloping outwardly. The intermediate portion 246 of
the outer contour 242 of body 240 has an inward curvature 258 with
a concave profile. In comparison with the above-discussed first
variant of a first embodiment of an outer contour 142 of body 140,
i.e. the intermediate portion 146 of said contour 142 which has an
inward curvature 158 with a substantially semi-circular profile
(see FIGS. 6 and 9B to 9D), one will appreciate that the concave
profile of the inward curvature 258 of the intermediate portion 246
of the presently discussed second variant of said first embodiment
of an outer contour 242 of body 240 provides a smoother transition
from the intermediate portion 246 of the outer contour 242 to the
upper portion 248 thereof. The upper portion 248 of the outer
contour 242 of body 240 has an outward curvature 260 which has a
substantially semi-circular profile and an end section 268 having a
nose-like profile. The lower portion 252 of the inner contour 250
of body 240 has a flat profile. The intermediate portion 254 of the
inner contour 250 of body 240 has an outward curvature 264 with a
convex profile having an apex 267 and a substantially flat end
section 265. The upper portion 256 of the inner contour 250 of body
240 has an outward curvature 274 with a convex profile having an
apex 276.
[0054] FIGS. 4 and 7 are supplemented by FIGS. 10A to 10D which
illustrate on how lid 102 of closure cap 200, via hinge region 106
employing a ratchet-like member 120 having body 240 with the
aforesaid outer 242 and inner 250 contours, is brought into and
locked in a final open position of lid 102. In the depicted
embodiment, the lid has an opening angle of about 210.degree.
(shown in FIGS. 10A and 10D). In order to also illustrated on how
the intermediate portion 254 of the inner contour 250 of body 240
supports body 240 in the final open position of lid 102, the
cross-sectional views of FIGS. 10B to 10D also depict part of a
container neck.
[0055] Under continued reference to FIG. 7, one will appreciate
from FIGS. 10B to 10D the following.
[0056] From FIG. 10B, one will appreciate that the outwardly
sloping end section 266 of the lower portion 244 of the outer
contour 242 of body 240 ensures that during opening of the lid 102,
an end portion of the tongue 138 formed in the top panel 108 of lid
102, is properly received by the concavely profiled inward
curvature 258 of the intermediate portion 246 of the outer contour
242 of body 240. From FIGS. 10C and 10D one will appreciate that by
way of the concave profile of the inward curvature of intermediate
portion 246 of the outer contour 242 and the to semi-circular
profile of the outward curvature 260 of the upper portion 248 of
the outer contour 242, the and portion of the tongue 138 is
smoothly guided towards an abutment of the outward curvature 260 of
said upper portion 248, in which abutment the tongue 138 is firmly
held in the final open position of lid 102 by virtue of the hinge
elements 116 and 118. From FIG. 10D, showing the lid 102 in its
final open position, one will appreciate that body 240 at this
position of lid 102 is advantageously supported by the intermediate
portion 254 of the inner contour 250 of body 240, namely in that
the convex profiled outward curvature 264 of the intermediate
portion 254 of the inner contour 250 abuts, in part, against a
pilfer proof of a container neck. FIG. 10D further shows that the
nose-like profiled end section 268 of the semi-circularly profiled
outward curvature 260 of the upper portion 248 of the outer contour
242 as well as part of the convexly profiled outward curvature 274
of the upper portion 256 of the inner contour 250 each abut against
part of an uppermost portion of a container neck finish. Although
such an abutment provides further support for body 240, it however
is not necessarily required for holding the lid 102 via tongue 138
in its final open position. Whether or not such an abutment occurs,
rather depends on the design of the outer contour of the uppermost
portion of a container neck finish and/or the plastic material used
in the injection molding of a closure cap of the present
invention.
[0057] FIG. 5 depicts the closure cap of FIGS. 1 and 2, while
putting particular emphasis on the hinge region 106. The hinge
elements 116, 118 depicted accordingly, are identical to those
depicted in FIG. 3 and discussed above under reference to that
Figure.
[0058] The ratchet-like member 120 employed in the closure cap 300
of FIG. 5 has a body 340 with an outer contour 342 profiled in
accordance with a second embodiment of an outer contour, and an
inner counter 350 profiled in accordance with the aforesaid second
embodiment of an inner counter. The inner counter 350 and the outer
contour 342 are depicted in FIG. 8 in more detail. Accordingly, one
will appreciate the following. The lower portion 344 of the outer
counter 342 of body 340 has a flat profile with an end section 366
sloping outwardly. The intermediate portion 346 of the outer
contour 342 of body 340 has a first inward curvature 358 having a
substantially semi-circular profile, a second inward curvature 359
having a substantially semi-circular profile and an outward
curvature 361 which is disposed between the first and second inward
curvatures 358, 359 and has a substantially semi-circular profile.
The upper portion 348 of the outer contour 342 of body 340 has an
outward curvature 360 with a substantially semi-circular profile
and an end section 368 having a nose-like profile.
[0059] As shown in FIGS. 11B to 11C, the second inward curvature
359 of the intermediate portion 346 of the outer contour 342
preferably has a smaller width than the first inward curvature 358
thereof, and the outward curvature 361 of the said intermediate
portion 346 has a smaller width than the outward curvature 360 of
the upper portion 348 of the outer contour 342 of body 340. The
lower portion 352 of the inner contour 350 of body 340 has a flat
profile. The intermediate portion 254 of the inner profile 350 of
body 340 has an outward curvature 364 with a convex profile having
an apex 367 and a substantially flat end section 365. The upper
portion 356 of the inner profile 350 of body 340 has an outward
curvature 374 with a convex profile having an apex 376.
[0060] FIGS. 5 and 8 are supplemented by FIGS. 11A to 11D which
illustrate on how lid 102 of closure cap 102, via hinge region 106
employing a ratchet-like member 120 having body 340 with the
aforesaid outer 342 and inner 350 contours, is brought into and
locked in a final open position. In the depicted embodiment, lid
102 has an opening angle of about 210.degree. C. (shown in FIGS.
11A and 11D). In order to also illustrate on how the intermediate
portion 354 of the inner contour 250 of body 340 supports body 340
in the final open position of lid 102, the cross-sectional views of
FIGS. 11B to 11D also depict part of a container neck.
[0061] Under continued reference to FIG. 8, one will appreciate
from FIGS. 11B to 11D the following.
[0062] From FIG. 11B one will appreciate that the outwardly sloping
end section 366 of the lower portion 344 of the outer contour 342
of body 340 ensures that during opening of the 102, an end portion
of tongue 138 formed in the top panel 108 of lid 102, is properly
received by the first inward curvature 358 of the intermediate
portion 346 of the outer contour 342 of body 340. From FIGS. 11A
and 11B one will appreciate that due to the aforesaid dimensions of
the first and second inward curvatures 358, 359 of the intermediate
portion 342, the outward curvature 361 disposed therebetween, and
the outward curvature 360 of the upper portion 348 of outer contour
342, an end portion of the tongue 138 of lid 102 successively and
gently is guided towards a position at which it from below abuts
against the outward curvature 360 of the upper portion 348 of the
outer contour 342 of body 340. At this position of tongue 138, the
lid 102, by virtue of the hinge elements 116, 118 can be reliably
held in an open position, i.e. an intermediate open position. In
the depicted embodiment, the opening angle of lid 102 is in this
intermediate open position greater than 210.degree..
[0063] FIG. 11D shows lid 102 in its final open position. In the
illustrated embodiment, the opening angle is about 210.degree..
Accordingly, one will appreciate from FIG. 11D that body 340 at
this position of lid 102 is advantageously supported by the
intermediate portion 354 of the inner contour 350 of body 340,
namely in that the convexly profiled outward curvature 364 of the
intermediate portion 354 of the inner contour 350 abuts, in part,
against a pilfer proof of a container neck. FIG. 11D further shows
that the nose-like profiled end section 368 of the semi-circularly
profiled outward curvature 360 of the upper portion 348 of the
outer contour 342 as well as part of the convexly profiled outward
curvature 374 of the upper portion 356 of the inner contour 350
each abut against part of an uppermost portion of a container neck
finish. Although such an abutment provides further support for body
340, it is however not necessarily required for holding lid 102 in
its final open position. Whether or not such an abutment takes
place, rather depends on the design of the outer contour of the
uppermost portion of a container neck finish and/or the plastic
material used in the injection molding of a closure cap of the
present invention.
[0064] As illustrated in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, respectively, for snugly
fitting the closure cap 100, 200 and 300, respectively, onto a
container neck, a plurality of cam-shaped stopper components 176,
spaced apart from each other, is arranged along an inner
circumference of the shell. In view of the aforesaid wall section
170 of reduced height of shell 104 (shown in FIG. 2), the plurality
of stopper components 176 each having upper and lower surfaces,
includes upper and lower sets of stopper components 176, such that
the upper set is arranged at a first height of the inner surface of
shell 104 and the lower set at a second height thereof, namely
around the wall section 170 of reduced height. With the closure cap
100, 200 and 300, respectively, installed on a container neck, the
upper surfaces of the supper set of stopper components 176 fit
closely with respect to a lower surface of a pilfer proof of the
container neck, whereas the stopper components 176 of the lower set
are spaced well apart from the pilfer proof. With the attempt of
opening the lid 102, the stopper components 176 of the lower set
are deflected upwards, with elastic distortion of the shell's wall,
wherein the upper surfaces of said stopper components 176 also
engage with the lower surface of the pilfer proof of the container
neck to further retain the shell 104 on the container neck.
[0065] In order to stiffen the wall section 170 of reduced height
of the shell 102, adjacent to each cutline of the inverted
trapezoid cut-out 172 (shown in FIG. 2), a cam-shaped stopper
component 176 preferably is such designed that it comprises a body
portion that has an inclination similar to that of the inclined cut
lines.
[0066] From FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, respectively, one will further
appreciate that the bottom face 112 of the top panel 108 of the lid
102 further comprises a plug seal 184 which is integrally formed
therewith and is configured to sealingly fit into a neck finish of
a container neck.
[0067] It is noted that the foregoing has outlined some of more
pertinent non-limiting embodiments. It will be clear to those
skilled in the art that modifications to the disclosed non-limiting
embodiments can be effected without departing from the spirit and
scope thereof. As such, the described non-limiting embodiments
ought to be considered to be merely illustrative of some of the
mere prominent features and applications.
* * * * *